"A person can be broken more easily by prosperity than by adversity." - Abba Theodore (The Conferences: 6.9.4)
Why do earthly riches hinder our life in Christ? Christ commands us to forsake this world for Him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). And again, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). Our hearts must turn from earthly riches to heavenly riches, which demands constant labor and struggle in our life in Christ. A rich man must disdain his wealth to gain eternal life, yet how many rich men disdain their wealth? Thus, the camel seldom, if ever, passes through the needle's eye. Nevertheless, "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).
Why do earthly riches hinder our life in Christ? Christ commands us to forsake this world for Him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). And again, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). Our hearts must turn from earthly riches to heavenly riches, which demands constant labor and struggle in our life in Christ. A rich man must disdain his wealth to gain eternal life, yet how many rich men disdain their wealth? Thus, the camel seldom, if ever, passes through the needle's eye. Nevertheless, "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27). 
